Here at Northumbria, we’re playing a leading role in plugging the UK’s digital skills gap as a founding member of the national Institute of Coding (IoC) − a consortium of universities and businesses which are working together to develop the next generation of digital talent, at degree level and above.

Since joining the IoC last year, colleagues at Northumbria have been busy organising a wide variety of events, aimed at providing people with the skills required to explore a career in technology, or develop existing skills further.

Over the last year the Northumbria IoC team, led by Dr Huseyin Seker, have held more than 20 events, with more than 500 people involved in these between April and June this year alone.

Among the activities have been four Teach the Nation to Code weekend-long workshops, organised in partnership with QA Consulting. Workshops have also been held covering data analytics and employment and careers development. Meanwhile a pilot Coding Club attracted students from all four faculties, all with limited or no previous coding experience.

The team have worked with a number of different companies to deliver the training, including Fujitsu, Baker Hughes, Sumo Digital and Sage, as well as MPs including Chi Onwurah and Catherine McKinnell, and entrepreneurs such as Anthony Odogwu, founder of mobile app development agency Future Space Technologies.

The success of the IoC at Northumbria was recognised recently during a celebratory event, during which the team gave updates on what has been achieved so far and future plans.

Find out more about the IoC here instituteofcoding.org

If you would like to find out more about the IoC at Northumbria, please contact Dr Huseyin Seker or visit list of upcoming events.